KR20130095858A - Cap, developer container, developer supply device, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The cap is configured to be attached to a developer container that discharges developer contained in the container body to the outside of the container body through a discharge port formed in a part of the container body. The cap includes a first attachment member; And a second attaching member, wherein the first attaching member and the second attaching member are detachably attached to the one piece, and when any one of the first attaching member and the second attaching member receives a turning force, The first attachment member and the second attachment member are separated from each other, and only the first attachment member is released from the container body.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a powder container, a toner supply device, and an image forming apparatus.

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a function of at least one of a cap for a powder container accommodating a developer, a powder container having the cap, a copying machine, a printer and a facsimile machine.

There is known a powder container of the type in which the container body for accommodating the developer is rotated to release the toner through the discharge port. Some of these rotary powder vessels have protrusions that engage the distal end of a rotating shaft that rotates the container body by transmitting a driving force to the container body on or near the bottom of the container. Another group of rotary powder containers has a drive transmission member that rotates the container body upon receipt of a driving force within a portion of the powder container. An example of the former is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H09-6115, while an example of the latter is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-178969.

Several groups of conventional rotary powder containers are configured as follows: at the time of shipment from the factory, a powder container is disposed in a closed state covering the discharge port by a shutter provided on a cover member rotatable with respect to the container body; When the powder container is loaded into the apparatus and the container body is rotated, the shutter is opened. The other group being configured as follows, the discharge port being arranged in a closed state by a cap; When the powder container is loaded on the device, the cap is removed to open the discharge port. At the time of factory shipment, each of the two groups of powder containers is sealed with a cap which must be removed when the powder container is to be used. The cap is preferably attached to the container effectively during assembly.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus having a cap, a powder container having the cap, and a cap which exhibit compatible operability for opening and closing a discharge port of a powder container for a powder container.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a cap configured to be attached to a developer container that discharges developer contained in a container body to the outside of the container body through a discharge port formed in a part of the container body. The cap has a first attachment member and a second attachment member. The first attachment member and the second attachment member are detachably attached to the one piece. When either the first attachment member or the second attachment member receives the rotational force, the first attachment member and the second attachment member are separated from each other, and only the first attachment member is released from the container body.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the cap is configured to be attached to a developer container that discharges developer contained in the container body to the outside of the container body through a discharge port formed in a part of the container body. The first attachment member and the second attachment member are separated from each other when any one of the first attachment member and the second attachment member detachably attached to the one piece receives rotation force, And is released from the container body. Thus, the operability of detaching the cap from the developer container is improved.

1 is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention,
Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the image forming unit provided in the image forming apparatus shown in Fig. 1,
Fig. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the developer supply apparatus provided in the image forming apparatus shown in Fig. 1,
4 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the toner inlet cover,
5 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the developer supply device,
6 is a schematic perspective view of the developer supply device with the powder container mounted thereon,
7 is a schematic view showing a configuration of a powder container according to the present invention,
8 is a schematic view showing a configuration of a container body of a powder container,
9 is a schematic perspective view showing a bottom portion of a powder container and a retainer having an information recording apparatus,
Fig. 10A is a schematic sectional view taken along the line PP in Fig. 10B, Fig. 10B is a front view of the retainer,
11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a retainer mounted on a container body,
FIG. 12A is a schematic view showing a state in which a powder container is mounted on an image forming apparatus main body, FIG. 12B is a schematic view showing a state in which a powder container is rotated and set,
Fig. 13A is a schematic partial exploded view of a retainer in a state in which the information recording apparatus is disposed in a receptacle protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the retainer, and Fig. 13B is an enlarged sectional view of the retainer in a state in which the information recording apparatus is disposed in the recess provided on the outer peripheral surface of the retainer 13C is an enlarged sectional view of the retainer in a state in which the information recording apparatus is disposed in the recess provided in the inner peripheral surface of the retainer,
14 is a schematic enlarged view showing the function of changing the shape of the positioning member to establish non-interchangeability with respect to the provided color or model,
Figure 15 is a schematic enlarged view showing the function of changing the number of positioning members to establish non-interchangeability with respect to the provided color or model,
16 is a schematic view showing a configuration in which an information recording apparatus is arranged on a powder container,
17 is a schematic view showing a configuration in which a weight is provided in a retainer to adjust the gravity center for improvement of stability;
Fig. 18A is a schematic view showing a powder container having a magnet member as a positioning member and mounted on the image forming apparatus body, Fig. 18B is a view of a rotated and positioned powder container,
19 is a schematic enlarged view showing the relationship of magnet poles between the magnet member provided on the retainer and the magnet member provided on the image forming apparatus main body,
20 is a schematic view showing a configuration in which a plurality of magnet members are used as positioning members,
21 is a schematic enlarged view showing the relationship of the magnetic poles between the magnet member provided on the retainer and the plurality of magnet members provided on the image forming apparatus main body,
22 is a schematic enlarged view showing a diagonal relationship of a magnetic pole between a plurality of magnet members provided on a retainer and a magnet member provided on the image forming apparatus main body,
FIG. 23A is a schematic view showing the configuration of a powder container having a retainer provided with a contact-type information recording apparatus in a state where it is mounted and positioned on the image forming apparatus main body, FIG. 23B is a schematic view of a contact information recorder and information communication Fig.
24 is a schematic enlarged view showing a function of establishing non-interchangeability with respect to a color or a model of a powder container having a retainer provided with a contact-type information recording apparatus,
25 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a drive unit disposed in a powder container on one side near the discharge port,
26 is a schematic enlarged view showing a cap according to an embodiment of the present invention,
Fig. 27 is a schematic diagram showing the construction of the bayonet base of the powder container and the cap without being attached to the container;
28 is a schematic sectional view showing the configuration of a bayonet base portion of a powder container,
29 is a schematic enlarged view showing the relationship between the claw and the projection,
30 is a schematic enlarged view showing a bayonet base portion of a powder container with a cap attached thereto,
31 is a schematic enlarged view showing the cap attached to the powder container with the outer cap (main body) removed,
32 is a schematic enlarged view showing a powder container in which a drive transmission member fixed to a powder container is removed,
33A and 33B are schematic views showing a modified example of the cap and bayonet base portion of the powder container, in which Fig. 33A shows the non-mounted state, Fig. 33B shows a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of the claw in the engaged state,
34A is a schematic enlarged view of a cap attached to a powder container with the body removed, FIG. 34B is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of a claw in the engaged state;
35 is a schematic view showing a modified example of the claw provided on the powder container,
36 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cap having an opening in the body and a powder container in the attached state,
37A is a schematic partial enlarged cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the drive transmission member, FIG. 37B is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a modified example of the drive transmission member,
Fig. 38A is a schematic enlarged sectional view showing a modified example of the drive transmission member, Fig. 38B is a schematic perspective view showing a modified example of the configuration of the drive transmission member,
39 is a schematic enlarged view showing a configuration of a cap having a fixing member,
40 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the bayonet base portion of the powder container and the non-mounted state of the cap having the fixing member,
41 is a schematic enlarged view showing a state in which the cap shown in Fig. 39 is attached to the powder container, Fig.
42A is a schematic enlarged view showing a state in which the cover member is mounted on the powder container with the cap shown in Fig. 39, Fig. 42B is a schematic enlarged view showing the drive transmission member and the drive gear in the engaged state, However,
43 is a schematic enlarged view showing a powder container in which a driving transmission member fixed to a powder container is removed,
Figs. 44A to 44E are schematic views showing a modification of the fixing member, Fig. 44A is a perspective view of a fixing member whose outer shape is elliptical, Fig. 44B is a perspective view of a fixing member having a knurled outer peripheral surface, Fig. 44D is a perspective view of a fixing member having a groove on its outer circumferential surface, Fig. 44E is a perspective view of a fixing member having a protrusion on the outer circumferential surface of the fixing member,
45 is a schematic enlarged view showing a modified example for weight reduction of the gear corresponding to the drive transmission member,
46 is a schematic enlarged view showing the configuration of claws and grooves corresponding to the drive transmission members,
47 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the inner cap;

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-061671, filed on March 17, 2010, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-061682, filed on March 17, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for Japanese Patent Application No. H07-217694 filed in Japan on Aug. 25, 1995.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In an embodiment, in the modification, elements such as elements or elements having the same function or configuration are referred to by the same reference numerals, and repetitive descriptions are omitted.

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the entire image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. Each of the toner containers 38Y, 38M, 38C, and 38K for the corresponding one of the four toner containers, or more specifically, the color (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) (Replaceable) in the toner container storing unit 31 positioned at the upper portion in the forming apparatus main body 100. [ The toner container corresponds to a powder container. An intermediate transfer unit 15 is disposed below the toner container storage unit 31. [ Under the intermediate transfer belt 8 of the intermediate transfer unit 15 aligned along the moving direction of the belt, there are provided image forming units 6Y, 6M, 6C for the corresponding one of the colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, 6C, and 6K).

The toner containers 38Y, 38M, 38C and 38K accommodated in the toner container storage unit 31 are held by the respective toner supply devices 160Y, 160M, 160C and 160K. Each of the developers stored in the toner containers 38Y, 38M, 38C and 38K is supplied to the corresponding one of the developing devices in the image forming units 6Y, 6M, 6C and 6K by the toner supply devices 160Y, 160M, 160C and 160K (Feed) into one.

In this embodiment, a representative one of the image forming units will be described later, because the image forming apparatuses are the same in configuration except for the color of the toner. Similarly, a representative one of the toner container and the toner supply device will be described below.

2, the yellow image forming unit 6Y includes the electrostatic charging unit 4Y, the developing device 5Y, and the electrostatic charging unit 4Y as the elements disposed around the photosensitive drum 1Y and the photosensitive drum 1Y, (Developing unit), a cleaning unit 2Y, and an electrostatic discharge unit (not shown). The image forming unit 6Y is configured to be detachably mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 100. [ An image forming process (charging, exposure, development, transfer and cleaning) is performed on the photosensitive drum 1Y to form a yellow image on the photosensitive drum 1Y.

The other three image forming apparatuses 6M, 6C, and 6K are substantially the same in construction as the yellow image forming unit 6Y, but the colors of the toners used are different. A corresponding one of the toner colors is formed by the respective image forming units 6M, 6C and 6K.

Referring to Fig. 2, the photosensitive drum 1Y is rotated clockwise in Fig. 2 by a drive motor (not shown). The surface of the photosensitive drum IY is electrostatically charged uniformly (charging) at a position providing the electrostatic charging unit 4Y.

Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum IY reaches a position irradiated with the laser light L emitted from the exposure device 7 (see Fig. 1); Exposure and scanning are performed at that position, whereby an electrostatic latent image for yellow is formed on the surface (exposure). The surface of the photosensitive drum IY reaches a position where the surface faces the developing apparatus 5Y; The electrostatic latent image is developed at that position to form a yellow toner image on the surface (development).

After development, the surface of the photosensitive drum IY reaches a position where the surface faces the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the primary transfer bias roller 9Y; The toner image on the photosensitive drum 1Y is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 8 at that position (primary transfer). At this time, a slight residual toner remains on the photosensitive drum 1Y.

After the primary transfer, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches the position where the surface faces the cleaning unit 2Y; The remaining toner on the photosensitive drum 1Y is mechanically collected (washed) by the cleaning blade 2a at that position. The surface of the photosensitive drum IY reaches a position where the surface faces the electrostatic discharge unit (not shown). At that position, the residual potential is removed from the photosensitive drum 1Y. Thus, a series of image forming processes performed on the photosensitive drum 1Y is completed.

An image forming process similar to that described above is performed for each of the other image forming devices 6M, 6C, and 6K. Specifically, the laser light L according to the image data is emitted from the exposure apparatus disposed in the lower portion of the image forming unit toward the photosensitive drum of the image forming apparatus 6M, 6C, 6K. More specifically, the exposure apparatus 7 emits the laser light L from the light source and scans the drum using the polygon mirror rotated by the laser light L through the plurality of optical devices, ). Thereafter, the color toner images respectively formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y through development are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 superimposed on each other. As a result, a color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

The intermediate transfer unit 15 includes an intermediate transfer belt 8, four primary transfer bias rollers or more specifically a primary transfer bias roller 9Y and primary transfer bias rollers 9M, 9C, 9K, 2 A car transfer backup roller 12, a plurality of tension rollers, and an intermediate transfer cleaning unit. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched by a plurality of rollers and is moved in a circular shape in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1 by the rotation of the secondary transfer backup roller 12. [

Each pair of the corresponding one of the primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K and the corresponding one of the photosensitive drum 1Y and the photosensitive drum 1M, 1C and 1K is interposed between the intermediate transfer belt 8 to form a primary transfer nip. The transfer bias of the opposite polarity to the toner is applied to the primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K.

The intermediate transfer belt 8 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow and sequentially passes through the primary transfer nips of the primary transfer bias rollers. Thus, the color toner images on the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C and 1K are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 in such a manner that toner images are superimposed on each other.

The intermediate transfer belt 8 for transferring and superimposing the color toner image reaches the position where the toner image faces the secondary transfer roller 11. [ At that position, the secondary transfer backup roller 12 and the secondary transfer roller 11 form a secondary transfer nip therebetween via the intermediary transfer belt 8. The four toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are transferred onto the recording medium P (for example, a transfer sheet) conveyed to the secondary transfer nip position. At this time, the residual toner that has not been transferred onto the recording medium P remains on the intermediate transfer belt 8. The intermediate transfer belt 8 reaches a position where it provides an intermediate transfer cleaning unit (not shown); The residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is collected at that position. Thereby, a series of transferring steps to be carried out on the intermediate transferring belt 8 is completed.

On the other hand, the recording medium P is conveyed from the paper feeding unit 16 disposed in the lower portion of the image forming apparatus main body 100 to the secondary transfer nip position via the paper feeding roller 17, a pair of registration rollers 18, . In more detail, the recording medium P (e.g., a transfer sheet) of a plurality of sheets is stored in a stacked state in the paper feed unit 16. [ When the paper feed roller 17 is rotated counterclockwise in Fig. 1, the uppermost one of the sheets of the recording medium P is fed to the nip between the pair of registration rollers 18. Fig.

The recording medium P conveyed to the pair of registration rollers 18 is temporarily stopped at the nip between the pair of registration rollers 18 that have stopped rotating. Thereafter, the pair of registration rollers 18 are rotated in accordance with the color image on the intermediate transfer belt 8, thereby transferring the recording medium P to the secondary transfer nip. Here, a predetermined color image is transferred onto the recording medium P. The recording medium P onto which the color image is transferred at the secondary transfer nip position is conveyed to a position for providing the fixing unit 20. [ At that position, heat and pressure are applied from the fixing belt and the pressure roller on the recording medium P to fix the color image transferred onto the surface of the recording medium P. [

After fixing, the recording medium P is discharged to the outside of the apparatus through the pair of sheet transfer rollers 19. [ The recording medium P discharged to the outside of the apparatus by the pair of sheet delivery rollers 19 is sequentially stacked on the stacking unit 30 as an output image. Thus, a series of image printing processes in the image forming apparatus is completed.

With reference to Fig. 2, the configuration and operation of the developing apparatus in the image forming unit will be described in more detail below. The developing apparatus 5Y includes a developing roller 21Y facing the photosensitive drum 1Y, a doctor blade 22Y facing the developing roller 21Y, and two conveying screws 22Y and 24Y disposed in the developer storage units 23Y and 24Y, A developing roller 25Y for detecting the toner density in the developer, and a detection sensor 26Y for detecting the toner density in the developer. The developing roller 21Y has a magnet fixed inside the developing roller 21Y and a sleeve rotating around the magnet. In the developer storage units 23Y and 24Y, a carrier and a two-component developer G containing the toner are stored. The developer storage unit 24Y is communicatively coupled with the toner chute 27Y through an opening formed in the upper portion of the developer storage unit 24Y.

Hereinafter, the operation method of the developing apparatus 5Y comprised as mentioned above is described. The sleeve of the developing roller 21Y rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. The developer G conveyed on the developing roller 21Y by the magnetic force generated by the magnet moves on the surface of the developing roller 21Y as the sleeve rotates. The developer G in the developing apparatus 5Y is adjusted such that the rotor ratio (toner density) in the developer is within a predetermined range. More specifically, the toner stored in the toner container 38Y is supplied to the developer storage unit 24Y through the toner chute 27Y in accordance with consumption of the toner in the developing apparatus 5Y.

Then, the toner supplied into the developer storage unit 24Y is circulated in the developer storage units 23Y and 24Y by the two transfer screws 25Y while being mixed with the developer G (in the plane of FIG. 2). Moved in the vertical direction) and stirred. The toner in the developer G is electrostatically charged and attracted to the carrier by friction with the carrier; The toner is transported on the developing roller 21Y together with the carrier by the magnetic force generated on the developing roller 21Y.

The developer G conveyed on the developing roller 21Y is conveyed in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2 to reach the position for providing the doctor blade 22Y. At that position, the amount of the developer G on the developing roller 21Y is adjusted and then transferred to the position (developing region) where the developer G faces the photosensitive drum 1Y. The toner is attracted to the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y by the electric field generated in the developing region. Thereafter, the developer G remaining on the developing roller 21Y reaches the upper portion in the developer storage unit 23Y to be separated from the developing roller 21Y at that position.

Hereinafter, the toner supply devices 160Y, 160M, 160M, and 160K and the toner containers 38Y, 38M, 38C, and 38Y will be described. The toner supply apparatuses are identical to each other in configuration except for the color of the developer in the toner container to be loaded. Therefore, hereinafter, a single toner supply device 160 and a single toner container 38 are described with the reference symbols Y, M, C, or K used to identify the toner omitted. The developer stored in the toner container is not limited to toner alone; Alternatively, the developer may consist of only a mixture or carrier of the toner and the carrier.

3 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the component structure of the toner supply device 160. As shown in Fig. The toner container 38 is rotated by the drive unit 60 fixed to the rear wall panel 58 (Figs. 5 and 6) of the image forming apparatus main body 100. The drive unit 60 has a joint 62, a spring 64, and a casing 66 housing the motor and the shaft. A recess 62a and protrusions 62b1 and 62b2 are provided on the tip of the joint 62. [ On the bottom portion 38-2 (rear end) of the toner container 38, a central portion 38b and axial projections 38c1 and 38c2 are provided in conformity with the bottom portion 38-2. The central portion 38b has a cylindrical projection which is confined in the recess 62a in the joint 62. [ Each of the axial protrusions 38c1, 38c2 has a prism-shaped protrusion that fits in a corresponding one of the protrusions 62b1, 62b2. When the central portion 38b is fitted in the recess 62a, the position of the bottom portion 38-2 of the toner container 38 is fixed; The engagement of the projections 62b1 and 62b2 and the axial projections 38c1 and 38c2 causes the toner container 38 to rotate. As shown in Fig. 6, when the joint 62 of the drive unit 60 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow E, the toner container 38 is also rotated in the same direction.

The toner container 38 shown in Fig. 3 is made of synthetic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene or polyethylene + polycarbonate. A helical groove extending from the bottom portion 38-2 toward the discharge port 38a is formed in the inner wall of the toner container 38. [ Due to the helical groove formed on the inner wall, the outer circumferential surface of the toner container 38 is provided with the helical groove 38d. When the toner container 38 is rotated, the toner is guided by the helical groove 38d and discharged through the discharge port 38a. A cap 68 is detachably attached to the discharge port 38a to prevent the toner from being discharged during a period in which the toner container 38 is not used.

On the leading edge portion of the container holding member 44, a plurality of ribs 44a are integrally formed therewith. The extrusion member 46 is attached to the rib 44a by a pressure sensitive adhesive double coating tape or the like. Extrusion member 46 is made of an elastic material such as Mylar or rubber. A rib 44b is formed on the inner wall of the container holding member 44 at a portion facing the end face of the middle portion 38-3 of the toner container 38. [

The container main body 38-1, which is the cylindrical large diameter portion of the toner container 38, and the tapered discharge port 38a are connected to the intermediate portion 38-3 having an intermediate diameter interposed therebetween. The driving claws 38q1 and 38q2 are formed on the end face (called the shoulder portion) of the intermediate portion 38-3 on the side near the exhaust port. The driving claws 38q1 and 38q2 engage with the ribs 44b to rotate the container holding member 44 by rotation of the toner container 38. [

Reference numeral "70 " refers to a collet chuck that grips and releases the cap 68. The collet chuck 70 is embedded in the cylindrical casing 72 and is integrally coupled to the shaft 76 by a screw 74. Reference numeral " 82 "denotes a configuration including a collet chuck 70, a cylindrical casing 72, and a shaft member 76. The reference numeral " Refers to a coil spring that constantly presses the group of elements toward the toner container 38. [ These components are assembled and held in the toner hopper unit 40. Reference numeral "84 " refers to the handle used to open and close the cap 68. The shaft portion 84a integrally formed with the handle 84 is supported by a shaft hole 42a formed at the tip of the toner cradle 42 to rotate the handle 84. [

Reference numeral "86" refers to a sliding shaft that is inserted into a hole 76a formed in a shaft member 76 and contacts a cam 84b provided on the handle 84. [ When the handle 84 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow F in Fig. 6 and the group of components including the collet chuck 70 slides in the direction away from the toner container 38, 38a so that the toner in the toner container 38 is discharged into the toner hopper unit 40. [

Hereinafter, a shutter for opening and closing the toner supply port 54 and the like will be described. The supply amount regulating member 50 provided in the opening 48 in the toner hopper unit 50 is made of an elastic material such as Mylar or rubber and has a slit 50a (elongated elongated hole) as shown in Fig. Respectively. By adjusting the width of the slit 50a, the amount of toner to be supplied is adjusted to an appropriate amount. The supply amount regulating member 50 is attached to the opening 48 by a pressure sensitive adhesive double coating tape or the like.

The shutter for opening and closing the toner supply port 54 can be moved vertically or vertically in a direction perpendicular to the horizontally opened toner supply port 54 Is provided in a portion in the toner entry cover 52 (Fig. The shutter 88 includes an elastic member 90 functioning as a shutter body which can be bent, a support 92 for supporting the elastic member 90, a cylindrical projection 94 integrally formed with the support 92, Respectively. The support portion 92 is provided with a spring 96 that constantly presses the shutter 88 to close the shutter 88. In this embodiment, the elastic member 90 is made of a polyester film such as Mylar, and is attached to the support portion 92 by a pressure sensitive adhesive doublecoding tape or the like. In the toner inlet cover 52, a fork-moving hole 52a for moving the protruding portion 94 is formed.

4, the toner supply port 54 is formed on the bottom surface of the toner inlet cover 52 and further includes an arc-shaped guide portion 98 for guiding the elastic member 90 of the shutter 88, 98 are integrally formed with the toner supply port 54. [ A foam plastic sealing member 99 serving as an elastic sealing member, which jamming the tip of the elastic member 90 to prevent toner scattering, is provided at the distal end of the guide portion 98. Referring to FIG. 3, reference numeral 104 in the vicinity of the opening 48 indicates a second guide rib having a trapezoidal shape and projecting in the horizontal direction for moving the shutter, while reference numeral 106 denotes an elastic member 90 Quot;). ≪ / RTI >

As shown in Fig. 5, the toner cradle 42 can be detachably mounted by being guided by the guide plate 108 in the direction indicated by the arrow H. The guide plate 108 can be fixed to the rear wall panel 58 of the image forming apparatus main body and the front wall panel 59 of the image forming apparatus main body by screws (not shown). A stopper 112 for preventing slippage is provided at the tip end of the guide plate 108 and supported by a leaf spring 110 fixed to the guide plate 108. The toner supply device 160 should be mounted with the stopper 112 pressed down. When the stopper 112 is released after the toner supply device 160 is mounted, the stopper 112 engages with the tip end portion of the toner cradle 42 so that the toner supply device 160 is slip- To be retained.

5 shows a state in which the toner supply device 160 is pulled out of the guide plate 108. As shown in Fig. The side portions 42m and 42n are fitted into the guides 108m and 108n of the guide plate 108 in the assembled state. The toner container 38 is attached to or removed from the toner supply device 160 while pulling the toner cradle 42 to a position close to that shown in Fig. At this time, prevention of the toner supply device 160 from slipping can be prevented by preventing the stepped portion 42e formed on the toner cradle 42 from being trapped in the notch 108a provided in the guide plate 108 do. The step 42d is caught in the notch in the guide 108n, but this notch is behind the front wall plate 59 and is not shown accordingly.

5, in a state in which the toner container 38 is placed on the toner cradle 42, the toner supply device 160 is pushed into the image forming apparatus main body to load the toner supply device 160 thereon do. The shutter 88 is pressed by the spring 96 to close the toner supply port 54 formed in the bottom portion of the toner inlet cover 52 before the toner supply device 160 is pushed in, 90 are curved along the arcuate guide portion 98 and jammed into the foam plastic sealing member 99 at the tip of the elastic member 90. [ Therefore, the space between the toner hopper unit 40 and the toner supply port 54 is sealed in a leak-proof manner.

The cylindrical portion of the projection 94 integrally formed with the support portion 92 comes into contact with the guide rib formed on the main body portion of the image forming unit 6, And is pushed against the tension applied by the torsion spring 96. As a result, the cylindrical portion is stopped at the flat upper portion of the guide rib. With this movement, the elastic member 90 is lifted (contracted) along the guide portion 98 to open the toner supply port 54, and the developing device 5 and the toner supplying device 160 are brought into the communication connection state Let's do it. When the toner supply device 160 is pulled out, the protruding portion 94 is lowered. The elastic member 90 which is oriented in the vertical direction is curved along the toner supply port 54 so that the shutter 88 is moved in the vertical direction Closed state.

The toner supply port 54 and the toner accommodating portion (not shown) are opened or closed in a state in which the toner supply device 160 and the process cartridge (image forming unit 6) are mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 100 The positioning of the toner container 38 with respect to the middle portion 38-3 is performed by the contact engagement between the inner diameter portion of the container holding member 44 and the small protrusion 38f of the spherical shape, (38f) on the rib (44b) of the container holding member (44) combined with the container holding member (40).

As shown in Fig. 6, when the handle 84 is pivoted downward in the direction indicated by the arrow F from that state, the cam 84b (Fig. 3) pulls the sliding shaft 86 toward the front of the apparatus . This also causes the shaft 76 to move so that the collet chuck 70 contacts a projection (not shown) provided on the cylindrical casing 72. Here, the closing of the collet chuck 70 is started, and the cap 68 is gripped. When the shaft 76 is further moved in the direction H, the collet chuck 70 removes the cap 68 from the toner container 38 so that the toner in the toner container 38 is discharged from the toner Into the hopper unit (40).

The toner supply is performed based on the density of the toner in the developing apparatus 5 determined by the toner density sensor 26. [ When the detected value falls below the reference density, the drive unit 60 is operated to rotate the joint 62 in the direction indicated by the arrow E as shown in Fig. This causes the joint 62 to engage with the bottom of the toner container 38, causing the toner container 38 to rotate in the same direction. When the toner container 38 is rotated, the toner is discharged through the discharge port 38a and accumulated in the toner hopper unit 40. [ On the other hand, when the toner container 38 is rotated, the driving claws 38q1 and 38q2 formed on the end surface of the intermediate portion 38-3 on the side near the discharge port are provided with ribs 44b And moves the rib 44b by pressing it. This rotates the extrusion member 46 integral with the container holding member 44 and slides on the inner wall surface of the toner hopper unit 40. Toner accumulated in the toner hopper unit 40 is scraped off by the rotation of the extrusion member 46.

When the extrusion member 46 passes through the slit in the supply amount regulating member 50, the toner is squeezed through the slit. The toner thus squeezed falls into the toner entrance cover 52 and passes through the toner supply port 54 located at the lower portion in the toner entrance cover 52 and is supplied to the toner accommodating port 5 ).

As described above, the toner supply device 160 according to the present embodiment allows the toner container 38 to be replaced without leaking the toner outside the discharge port 38a in the toner container 38. [

Hereinafter, the configuration of the toner container 38 will be described. 7, the toner container 38 is rotatable with respect to the cylindrical container main body 38-1, the discharge port 38a, the retainer, and the container main body 38-1 A ring member 120 holding an RFID 122 corresponding to the information recording apparatus, and a positioning member 121. [ The discharge port 38a is provided at one end of the container body 38-1 so that the toner in the container body is discharged out of the container body. The RFID 122 may perform contactless communication. The positioning member 121 is coupled with the image forming apparatus main body (toner supplying device 160) when the toner container 38 is loaded onto the toner supplying apparatus 160 disposed on the image forming apparatus main body 100. FIG. . The reuse of the toner container 38 such as the information on the toner color, the amount of toner, the serial number (production lot) of the toner, the date of manufacture of the toner and the number of times of reuse, the reuse day (s) Information is stored in the RFID 122.

As shown in Fig. 8, the container body 38-1 is sealed at the other end, or the bottom portion 38-2. The discharge port 38a is tapered to the container body 38-1 on the side opposite to the bottom portion 38-2. 7 and 8, the toner container 38 is in fact configured such that the discharge port 38a is in use, for example, at the time of use, 3, 5 and 6, as shown in Fig. Therefore, when the toner container 38 is rotated, the toner in the toner container 38 is guided by the helical groove 38d and is transmitted to the outside through the discharge port 38a.

As shown in Fig. 8, each of the axial projections 38c1 and 38c2, which are protruding portions of the prism shape, is configured to transmit rotational force to the toner container at the outer circumferential portion in the bottom portion 38-2 away from the cylindrical central axis OO / RTI > The shape of the axial protrusions 38c1 and 38c2 is not limited to the shape of the protrusions 62b1 and 62b2 provided in the toner supply device 160 , A driving source of rotational force).

As described above, the axial projections 38c1, 38c2 are formed on the bottom 38-2 side of the toner container 38 rather than at one end, and the toner is discharged through the bottom 38-2 side . This causes the runout of the toner container 38 on the discharge port 38a side to be minimized. In this configuration, the two axial protrusions 38c1 and 38c2 are arranged at equal distances from the center axis OO, so that a rotational force close to the engagement is exerted. This configuration prevents the toner container 38 from receiving a force radially outwardly upon rotation, thereby eliminating or eliminating the need to provide protection against unintended pop-outs of the toner container 38 . Therefore, reliable toner supply can be achieved with a relatively simple configuration.

The ring member 120 is rotatable and the ring member 120 is rotated in the axial direction and the longitudinal direction with respect to the toner container 38 as shown in Figures 9 to 10B The ring member 120 is configured to fit into the bottom portion 38-2 of the toner container 38, not in the toner discharge port 38a, in a non-misaligned manner. 10A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line PP of FIG. 10B. 9 to 10B, the fitting unit for fitting the ring member 120 into the toner container 38 without any deviation includes a protruding outer diameter portion 38-2a formed on the bottom portion 38-2, (Or more specifically elastic claws 120-1a, 120-1b, and 120-1c) formed on the inner diameter portion of the ring 120, and three stoppers (or more specifically ring members 120 And stoppers 120-1A, 120-1B, and 120-1C formed on the inner diameter portions of the inner and outer rings. As shown in Fig. 8, a groove 38-4 is formed between the protruding outer diameter portion 38-2a and the container body 38-1.

The three elastic claws 120-1a, 120-1b, and 120-1c are equally spaced on the inner circumference of the ring member 120. [ Each of the elastic claws 120-1a, 120-1b, and 120-1c is a cantilever-like elastic member having one end formed integrally with the main body of the ring. A stopper holding member made of a cantilever type is interposed between adjacent ones of the elastic claws 120-1a, 120-1b, and 120-1c. The stoppers 120-1A, 120-1B, and 120-1C are formed on the three stopper holding members. And the elastic claws 120-1a, 120-1b, and 120-1c and the stopper holding member form a circular inner circumferential surface. The elastic claws 120-1a, 120-1b, and 120-1c and the stopper holding members are engaged with the elastic claws 120-1a, 120-1b, and 120-1c ) And the stopper holding member are slidable and rotatable without any deviation at the time of rotation.

Each of the elastic claws 120-1a, 120-1b, and 120-1c has a hook portion bent inward at its free end. The ring member 120 can be rotatably mounted on the toner container 38 by pressing the ring member 120 into the projecting outer diameter portion 38-2a as indicated by the arrow Q in Fig.

The three elastic claws 120-1a, 120-1b, and 120-1c are twisted at their free ends so that the elastic claws 120-1a, 120-1b, and 120-1c, So that the hook-shaped portion of the hook 38 moves up the projected outer diameter portion 38-2a into the groove 38-4. At this time, the three resilient claws 120-1a, 120-1b, and 120-1c and the stoppers 120-1A, 120-1B, and 120-1C are spaced apart from each other by a gap allowing sliding therebetween, -2a. Here, if the ring member 120 is fitted in the toner container 38, it is not easy to remove the ring member 120. This is a measure for allowing the ring member 120 to perform satisfactorily. In order to prevent disassembly, right flexion portions corresponding to the corner portions (right-angled portions) of the projecting outer diameter portion 38-2a are formed in the respective three elastic claws 120-1a, 120-1b, and 120-1c . The curved portion is engaged with the right angular portion of the projecting outer diameter portion 38-2a, thereby preventing slippage in the axial direction and disabling the disassembly.

The toner container 38 is allowed to rotate relative to the ring member 120 but is not deflected in the axial direction because the protruding outer diameter portion 38-2a has three elastic claws 120-1a, 120-1c and the stoppers 120-1A, 120-1B, and 120-1C.

Referring to Fig. 11, the ring member 120 faces the edge portion of the container body 38-1 of the toner container 38 at one end thereof in a close proximity thereto; The projecting outer diameter portion 38-2a has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the container body 38-1; The end surface of the toner container 38 which is connected between the protruding outer diameter portion 38-2a and the container main body 38-1 covers the elastic claws 120-1a, 120-1b and 120-1c. The three elastic claws 120-1a, 120-1b and 120-1c do not allow to operate from the outside because the toner container 38 in this state is in the axial direction As shown in FIG. Therefore, disassembly of the ring member 120 is actually disabled. If the forced disassembly of the ring member 120 by the application of an external force is attempted, the protruding outer diameter portion 38-2a of the toner container 38 will be damaged.

The reason why the ring member 120 can not be disassembled from the toner container 38 is that the ring member 120 has at least one of non-interchangeability, independent function, and rotation prevention function, Accordingly, it is highly desirable that the ring member 120 and the toner container 38 maintain a mutual relationship with each other.

The ring member 120 has a predetermined width W in the axial direction and the longitudinal direction. 11 is a schematic sectional view of a ring member 120 which is fitted into the projecting outer diameter portion 38-2a of the toner container 38 taken along the POP line of Fig. 10B. As shown in FIG. 11, the predetermined width W, in the assembled state, is that one end of the ring member 120 is in contact with the end face of the container body 38-1 of the toner container 38. The other end of the ring member 120 is determined to be located outside than the central portion 38b. In another way, the surface of the ring member 120 on the other end is positioned higher than the surface of the central portion 38b. Therefore, not only the central portion 38b, but also the axial projections 38c1, 38c2 are positioned inside the other end of the ring member 120. [

This configuration allows the toner container 38 to which the ring member 120 is attached to stand on a flat surface, such as the table 130, as shown in Fig. If the ring member 120 constructed as described above is not attached to the toner container 38, erection of the toner container 38 as shown in Fig. 7 can not be achieved, And protrudes from the bottom of the container 38. In this case, the toner container 38 should be placed aside when the toner container or the like is replaced. However, the toner container 38 may fall from a table or the like when the toner container or the like is replaced, because the cylindrical toner container 38 is easy to roll. Conversely, when the ring member 120 is engaged with the toner container 38 as in the present embodiment, the toner container 38 stably stands up, thereby reducing the possibility of accidental dropping.

9, the positioning member 121, which is a radially protruding fixing member, is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the ring member 120. As shown in Fig. 12A and 12B, the position setting member 121 is disposed on the stopper 200 formed on the toner cradle 42 of the toner supply apparatus, which is the image forming apparatus main body side, Lt; / RTI > In this example, the positioning member 121 formed on the toner cradle 42 has a rectangular geometric shape to accommodate the positioning member 121 fitted therein.

A receptacle 120b for receiving the RFID 122 is provided on the outer circumferential surface 120a of the ring member 120 in such a manner as to protrude outward from the outer circumferential surface 120a. Any manner of mounting the RFID 122 on the ring member 120 can be used, so long as it does not affect the operation of the RFID 122. An example of such a method includes attaching the RFID 122 to the ring member 120 with an adhesive and covering the receptacle 120b for inserting the RFID 122 with a sticker (not shown). The RFID 122 can be adhered to the ring member 120 by applying a heat seal ring from the outside of the RFID 122. [

The movement path R1 of the outermost radial portion of the receptacle 120b is positioned inside the movement path R2 of the outermost radial portion of the positioning member 121 as shown in Fig. Alternatively, the protruding length of the receptacle 120b protruding from the outer circumferential surface 120a is shorter than the protruding length of the positioning member 121 from the outer circumferential surface 120a. Therefore, even when a configuration in which the receptacle 120b protrudes from the outer circumferential surface 120a is used, interference between the receptacle 120b and the components disposed in the vicinity of the ring member 120 can be prevented, and at the same time, Upsizing can be avoided since the projecting portion of the receptacle 120b is positioned in the positioning member 121 from the projecting portions 120a.

12B, when the positioning member 121 is in contact with the stopper 200, the RFID 122 is mounted on the antenna 124 provided on the image forming apparatus 100 side, (I.e., the information communication unit) and is positioned such that the RFID 122 is capable of communicating with the antenna 124. [ The antenna 124 is connected to the control unit 140.

The ring member 120 holding the RFID 122 is rotatable with respect to the container main body 38-1 so that when the toner container 38 is loaded on the image forming apparatus main body 100 And a positioning member 121 used for positioning with respect to the main body. Therefore, even if the toner container 38 is loaded on the image forming apparatus main body 100 without performing the positioning of the toner container 38, The ring member 120 is rotated together with the container main body 38-1 by the frictional resistance. When the positioning member 121 contacts the stopper 200, the rotation of the ring member 120 is further prevented, but the container body 38-1 is rotated to that position. The rotation of the container main body 38-1 is stopped when the drive unit 60 is stopped. This not only facilitates positioning the RFID 122 to a position where communication with the antenna 124 can be performed but also allows the antenna 124 to reliably read information from the RFID 122. [

Alternatively, this allows a user to load the toner container 38 onto the toner cradle 42 of the toner supply 160 without consideration of the position of the RFID 122; After the toner container 38 is mounted, it causes the RFID 122 to be placed in the optimal position for exchanging information according to the toner discharge operation performed by the toner container 38. [ Here, the RFID 122 can be located at an optimum position for information exchange without failing regardless of the toner discharging operation performed by the toner container 38. [ This substantially completely prevents the RFID 122 from being affected by the toner to which it is stuck.

The ring member 120 may be provided on the toner container 38 in any form as long as the operation of the RFID 122 is not affected. 13A, the RFID 122 is disposed in the receptacle 120b formed on the outer peripheral surface 120a of the ring member 120 so that the receptacle 120b projects from the outer peripheral surface 120a . This configuration allows the RFID 122 to be inserted from the outside into the receptacle 120b, thereby greatly facilitating the mounting of the RFID 122 at the time of assembly.

As an alternative, the RFID 122 may be disposed within a recess 120c formed in the outer circumferential surface 120a of the ring member 120, as shown in FIG. 13B, rather than providing a protrusion that projects from the outer circumferential surface 120a .

When configured in this manner, the outer circumferential surface 120a of the ring member 120 can have a small diameter as well as a smooth outer surface, contributing to a compact configuration. 13C, a recess 120c is formed in the inner circumferential surface of the ring member 120, and the RFID 122 is disposed in the recess 120c from the inside of the ring. When configured in this manner, the outer circumferential surface 120a functions as a protective wall for protecting the RFID 122. [ Thus, since the external contaminants such as toner are less likely to stick to the RFID 122, the antenna 124 can read information from the RFID 122 more reliably.

The positioning member 121 can be configured to perform the function of establishing non-interchangeability with respect to the color or model of the toner container 38. [ An example is shown in Fig. 14, the shape of the positioning member 121 is different from each other based on the color per toner; The shapes of the stoppers 200 provided on the image forming apparatus main body 100 side match the shapes of the positioning members 121. [

This configuration is advantageous in that the shape of the positioning member 121 of the ring member 120 mounted on the toner container 38 does not fit into the shape of the stopper 200 and the toner cradle 42 of the toner supply device 160, The toner container 38 can not be mounted on the toner container 38 and varies depending on the color of the toner in the toner container 38. [ This configuration also allows for an easy determination as to whether the toner container 38 has been incorrectly loaded by simple visual inspection. Here, the function for establishing non-interchangeability with respect to the color or the model can be provided based on a change in the shape of the positioning member 121. [

This configuration can be implemented by changing the shape of the positioning member 121 from color to color. Thus, by manufacturing the positioning member 121 in a different shape based on the toner per color in manufacturing the ring member 120, a reduction in the number of components and a simplified manufacturing process can be achieved.

For example, as shown in Fig. 15, regarding the arrangement of the positioning member 121, a plurality of positioning members 121a and 121b are arranged along the rotation direction of the toner container 38, do. By changing the clearance between the positioning members 121a and 121b based on the color per toner, color non-exchangeability can be established. By increasing the number of the positioning members 121a and 121b to three or more, the number of arrangement patterns is increased, and the model non-interchangeability is additionally established.

When such a configuration is used, the RFID 122 or the ring member 120 holding the positioning members 121a and 121b functions to establish non-interchangeability. This reduces the number of components. Further, the ring member 120 can be formed to perform functions as a ring member and non-interchangeability. This simplifies the manufacturing process.

16 shows a state in which when the toner container 38 is loaded on the toner cradle 42 of the toner supply device 160, along the plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the container main body 38-1 having gravity- In the taken-in section, the toner container 38 shows a configuration in which the RFID 122 is positioned on the outer peripheral portion of the container body 38-1 at a position on the horizontal line L1 passing through the rotation axis. More specifically, the RFID 122 is configured such that the toner container 38 is loaded on the toner cradle 42 and the positioning member 121 is rotated in the mounting direction by the drive unit 60 (see Fig. 2) 200 on the surface of the toner container 38. Alternatively, the RFID 122 is disposed in the space above the toner container 38. In this configuration, the antenna 124 is disposed in a position above the RFID 122 to face the RFID 122 in the mounting position.

This configuration allows the RFID 122 to be positioned and held within the space above the toner cradle 42 away from the bottom of the toner cradle 42 of the susceptible toner container 38 during the mounting and removal of the toner container 38. [ . Here, the influence resulting from toner adhesion can be minimized. More specifically, when the toner container 38 is mounted on the toner cradle 42 of the toner supply device 160, the RFID 122 is uniformly positioned on the horizontal line dividing the ring member 120 virtually . This has a considerable advantage in that contamination due to toner adhesion and the like is prevented. Therefore, information communication can be performed more reliably.

17 shows a structure for improving the stability of the toner supply device 160 loaded on the toner cradle 42 by using the weight of the positioning member 121. [ In this configuration, the weight 125 is mounted on the positioning member 121. [

When the positioning member 121 is provided at a position facing the RFID 122 and the positioning member 121 has a predetermined weight, the ring member 120 is rotated with respect to the container body 38-1 by gravity , The positioning member 121 is positioned at the lowest position. Here, the RFID 122 is located at the uppermost position. When the antenna 124 is disposed at a position facing the RFID 122 when the RFID 122 is in the uppermost position, information communication can be performed more reliably. The weight 125 causes the RFID 122 to be moved to a predetermined position even before the operation of discharging the toner from the toner container 38 is performed or when the operation is not performed. In this example, the RFID 122 is configured to be located in the uppermost position; Alternatively, the RFID 122 may be configured to be located at another location. In this configuration, the center of gravity of the ring member 120 is lowered by forming the positioning member 121 at a position facing the position of the RFID 122 and providing the weight 125 in the positioning member. As a variant, the center of gravity can be varied from the material of the positioning member 121, and its density is higher than the density of the ring member 120 rather than using the weight 125.

18A to 22 show a modification in which the positioning member uses magnetic force.

On the outer peripheral surface 120a of the ring member 120 shown in Figs. 18A and 18B, a magnet 201 (magnet member) is provided as a positioning member. The magnet 201 protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface 120a of the ring. In this variation, the protruding length of the magnet 201 is located outside the motion path R1 of the receptacle 120b; As a variant, the magnet 201 may be located in the motion path R1. On the toner cradle 42 (i.e., on the side of the image forming apparatus 100) of the toner supply device 160, a magnet 202 serving as a magnet member serving as a receiving member is provided. When the magnet 201 and the magnet 202 are disposed with respect to each other and the rotation of the ring member 120 is stopped by magnetic attraction between the magnet 201 and the magnet 202, (122) faces the antenna (124). 19, the magnet 201 and the magnet 202 are arranged so that the magnetic poles on the mutually facing surfaces of the magnet 201 and the magnet 202 are opposite to each other.

18A and 18B, the magnet 201 protrudes from the outer peripheral surface 120a of the ring member 120. [ As a modification, a recess similar to the recess 120c shown in Figs. 13B and 13C may be formed on the outer circumferential surface 120a or the inner circumferential surface of the ring member 120, so that the magnet 201 can be disposed in the recess . The magnet 202 is arranged so as not to protrude out of the toner cradle 42 of the toner supply device 160, unlike the configuration in which the magnet 202 protrudes from the image forming apparatus main body 100 toward the toner container 38 .

As described above, the magnet 201 is disposed as a positioning member on the ring member 120 attached to the toner container 38, while the magnet 202 is disposed on the toner cradle 42, The container 38 is loaded into the toner supply device 160. In this configuration, when the toner container 38 is loaded on the toner cradle 42 (image forming apparatus main body 100) of the toner supply device 160, And a rotatable ring member 120 with respect to the image forming apparatus main body (not shown). Here, even when the toner container 38 is loaded on the toner cradle 42 of the toner supply device 160 without performing the positioning of the toner container 38, 3, and the driving unit 60 shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the ring member 120 is rotated together with the container body 38-1 by the frictional resistance. When the magnet 201 reaches the position where the magnet 201 faces the magnet 202, the ring member 120 is prevented from further rotating, but the container main body 38-1 is provided with a dictionary And is rotated to the determined position. The rotation of the container main body 38-1 is stopped when the drive unit 60 is stopped. This not only facilitates positioning of the RFID 122 in the location where communication with the antenna is performed, but also allows the antenna 124 to reliably read information from the RFID 122. [

Alternatively, the position of the RFID 122 may be detected using the magnet 201 and the magnet 202. [ This allows the user to insert the toner container 38 into the image forming apparatus main body without considering the orientation or the like and also allows the RFID 122 to exchange necessary information according to the toner discharging operation performed by the toner container 38 Thereby causing the RFID 122 to move. Here, the exchange of the information of the RFID 122 can be performed without failing, irrespective of the toner discharging operation performed by the toner container 38, without substantially influencing the adherence of the toner. When the positioning member is configured to use the magnetic force of the magnet (magnet member), no noise is generated from the contact. Therefore, this configuration is advantageous compared with the positioning unit provided with the positioning member 121 and the stopper 200 from the viewpoint of quiet operation.

20 is a perspective view of the magnet 201a and 201b which function as a plurality of positioning members and are arranged on the ring member 120 in a spaced relation along the direction of motion of the ring member, (202a, 202b) are disposed on the toner cradle 42 (the image forming apparatus main body side) of the toner supply device 160. As shown in Fig. The magnets 201a and 201b and the magnets 202a and 202b are arranged such that the magnetic poles on the facing surfaces of the magnets 201a and 201b are opposite to each other and the magnetic poles of the magnets 202a and 202b are opposite to each other And is disposed so as to be opposite.

When a plurality of pairs of magnets are disposed in this manner for positioning, the magnetic force for stopping the rotation of the ring member 120, or the braking force as another method, can be increased as compared with the configuration including the pair of magnets. This is because even when the inertia force generated by stopping the rotation of the toner container 38 is large due to the large weight of the toner container 38 or when the rotational speed of the driven toner container 38 is high, So that the ring member 120 is stably fixed to the position where the information should be exchanged between the antennas 124. Here, this configuration substantially eliminates the influence exerted by toner adhesion. In addition, the antenna 124 can reliably read information from the RFID 122. [

In the example shown in Fig. 21, the pole arrangement for the magnets 201a and 201b and the pole arrangement for the magnets 202a and 202b are the same. 22, the pole arrangement of the magnet 201c may be opposite to that of the pole arrangement for the magnet 201a, or the pole arrangement of the magnet 202c may be arranged to have a pole arrangement with respect to the magnet 201a It can be the opposite. More specifically, the magnet 201a and the magnet 202c arranged so as to face each other diagonally face each other and the magnetic poles of the same polarity face each other, while the magnet 201c and the magnet 202a In the configuration, the poles of the same polarity face each other.

When the above-described configuration is used, unintentional positioning caused by attraction between the magnets when a plurality of pairs of magnets are disposed can be prevented. For example, in the configuration shown in Fig. 21, the magnetic poles on the facing surfaces of the diagonally arranged magnets 201a and 202b are of opposite polarities. When magnetic attraction is exerted between the magnet 201a and the magnet 202b, the rest position of the ring member 120 can be deflected from the intended position. 22, the magnetic poles on the facing surfaces of the magnets 201a and 202c have the same polarity, while the magnetic poles on the facing surface of the magnet 201c and the magnet 202a have the same polarity. On the other hand, In the configuration having the same polarity, no magnetic attractive force is generated between the diagonally arranged stimuli. Thus, the ring member 120 can be stopped at the intended position in the design without failure.

In the above-described embodiment, the contactless RFID 122 is used as the information recording apparatus, but the information recording apparatus is not limited to the contactless apparatus. 23A to 24, in place of each modified example of the RFID 122, a contact type information recording apparatus 126 is disposed in the receptacle 120b, Another configuration in which the contact terminal 127 is disposed can be used. When the ring member 120 is stopped by the positioning member 121 and the stopper 200, the contact information recording apparatus 126 is brought into contact with the contact terminal 127 to perform communication. The contact terminal 127 is connected to the control unit 140. The distal end of the contact terminal 127 is formed of a torsion coil spring or the like so that the distal end thereof comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface 120a of the ring member 120 at an appropriate contact pressure. This allows the contact terminal 127 to come into elastic contact with the contact-type information recording apparatus 126, thereby accommodating variations in mounting accuracy even when the accuracy of the information recording apparatus 126 is changed.

24, in the configuration in which the contact information recording apparatus 126 is mounted on the ring member 120, the positioning member 121 may be formed in a different shape based on the color per toner have. This is because even if an attempt is made to mount the toner container 38 containing toner of the wrong color on the toner cradle 42 of the toner supply device 160, the shape of the positioning member 121 is not limited to the shape of the stopper 200 . Thus, the ring member 120 is stopped at a position where the contact information recording apparatus 126 does not contact the contact terminal 127, thereby allowing the control unit 140 to determine whether improper loading is performed.

In the above-described configuration, the contact-type information recording apparatus 126 is formed of the contact terminal 127 having elasticity, but the contact with the information recording apparatus 126 can be made using an elastic member such as a leaf spring. If additional components such as leaf springs are used, additional components such as leaf springs may be provided to either the toner cradle 42 of the toner supply device 160, i.e., either the image forming apparatus body side or the toner container 38 side . The positioning of the information recording apparatus 126 can be performed based on the contact resistance between the information recording apparatus 126 and the contact terminal 127 by adjusting the elastic force of the contact terminal 127. [ This eliminates the necessity of providing the positioning member 121 and the magnet so that the information recording apparatus 126 and the contact terminal 127 function as a positioning member, thereby simplifying the structure.

In the modification shown in Figs. 18A to 22, magnets 201, 201a, 201b and 201c are mounted directly on the ring member 120 to perform positioning using a magnetic force. In a variant, the positioning member 121 may be further provided. For example, instead of the weight 125 shown in Fig. 17, the magnet 201 shown in Figs. 18A and 18B can be disposed upstream of the stopper 200 with respect to the rotation direction of the ring member 120 . This arrangement allows for a combined use of positioning members of different types. This is because the rotation of the ring member 120 is stopped when the positioning member 121 comes into contact with the stopper 200 and before the contact between the positioning member 121 and the stopper 200 occurs, 201 and the magnet 202 act to exert a braking force against the rotation of the ring member 120. [ Therefore, it is possible to stop the rotation of the ring member 120 without failure and reduce the noise caused by the contact between the positioning member 121 and the stopper 200.

The image forming apparatus shown in Fig. 1 preferably supplies the toner amount required for each of the developing apparatuses at the time required for the high-quality image, even if information on the use frequency or the type of the output image by the user is not provided. Here, when the toner supply is performed by using the toner container 38 discussed in this embodiment for the corresponding one of the toner supply devices 160Y to 160K, the toner is supplied from the toner container 38 to the corresponding developing device The toner can be reliably supplied. Therefore, a high-quality image can be obtained.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of a toner container which is a developer supply container having a cap will be described.

The cap 300 shown in Fig. 26 is configured to be mounted on the toner container 138 shown in Fig. Like the toner container 38, the toner container 138 has a cylindrical large-diameter container body, a tapered cylindrical bayonet base portion 138a, and a middle diameter intermediate portion interposed to connect the container body and the bay yonet. . As shown in Fig. 25, a cover member 330 is disposed outside the intermediate portion. The cover member 330 rotatably supports the container body 138-1. As shown in Fig. 27, a helical groove similar to a helical groove (not shown) formed in the toner container 138 is formed in the container body 138-1. When the container body 138-1 is rotated, the developer in the container body 138-1 is transported through the helical groove toward the discharge port 138b formed in the bayonet base portion 138a.

As shown in Figs. 26 and 27, the cap 300 includes a first attachment member and a second attachment member, which are detachably assembled by a single piece. In this embodiment, the first attachment member has an outer cap 301 corresponding to the body that opens / closes the exhaust port 138b, while the second attachment member is detachably attached to the outer cap 301 And a gear 302 corresponding to the drive transmission member.

As shown in Fig. 27, the outer cap 301 has a closed end cylindrical shape. A helical groove 304 engaging with a helical projection 139 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the bayonet base portion 138a is formed in the inner surface of the outer cap 301. [ The outer cap 301 is mounted on the container body 138-1 to seal the discharge port 138b while being removed from the bayonet base portion 138a by being screwed onto the bayonet base portion 138a, The cap 301 opens the discharge port 138b. In this embodiment, an inner cap 168 is attached inside the bayonet base portion 138a. When the toner container 138 is mounted on the developer supply device 360 as described later, the inner cap 168 is pulled out of the discharge port 138 by the collet chuck 70, -1) to be discharged to the outside. A collet chuck 70 having the same function as the collet chuck 70 shown in Fig. 3 is provided in the developer supply device 360. Fig.

The configuration of the developer supply device 360 is basically the same as that of the toner supply device 160 except for the configuration of the drive source. In the developer supply device 360, the driving source is a gear 302, which corresponds to the driving transmission member, attached to the bayonet base portion 138a of the toner container 138 rather than moving the rear end portion of the toner container 138 To transmit the rotational force to the gear (402). Alternatively, when the toner container 138 is mounted on the developer supply device 360, the developer supply device 360 may be rotated by the driving source shown in Fig. As the configuration of the driving source, a configuration similar to that shown in Fig. 5 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H09-6115 can be used. More specifically, the driving source 370 is configured as follows: a worm wheel 372 is attached to the shaft of the driving motor 371; The worm wheel 372 engages the intermediate gear 373; The drive gear 374 attached to the same shaft as the intermediate gear 373 is engaged with the gear 302 of the toner container 138. [ The drive gear 374 rotated by the drive motor 371 transmits rotational drive force to the gear 302 by engaging with the gear 302 when the toner container 138 is loaded on the developer supply device 360. [ do.

The outer cap 301 and the gear 302 are made of a POM exhibiting excellent durability and are detachably assembled with a release unit 303 forming a plurality of slits. In this embodiment, the outer cap 301 and the gear 302 are assembled with the release unit 303 as a dress; As an alternative, the outer cap 301 and the gear 302 may be assembled into a piece by an adhesive tape having a slit with a dotted line. In this case, the outer cap 301 and the gear 302 are made of different materials so that, for example, each of the outer cap 301 and the gear 302 is made of PET and POM. Therefore, adequate durability for function can be ensured.

An annular protrusion 141 and a collar 142 are formed on the outer periphery of the bayonet base portion 138a to which the cap 300 is attached at a portion closer to the container main body 138-1 than the helical protrusion 139. [ The gap W between the annular projection 141 and the helical projection 19 is larger than the width W1 of the gear 302 (taken in the axial direction) by a predetermined length. The length Wa between the annular protrusion 141 and the end face of the bayonet base 138a and the depth Wa1 of the outer cap 301 are set such that when the cap 300 is attached to the bayonet base 138a A gear 302 is disposed in a space between the annular protrusion 141 and the collar 142 and the bottom portion 301a of the outer cap 301 is brought into close contact with the end face of the bayonet base portion 138a, 138b. In this embodiment, the inner cap 138 is inserted into the discharge port 138b. Thus, the bottom portion 301a holds the flange portion 168a of the inner cap 168.

The protruding length in the radial direction of the annular protrusion 141 and the protruding length in the radial direction of the collar 142 are each larger than the diameter of the boss 302a of the gear 302. [ The configuration in which the gear 302 is interposed between the annular protrusion 141 and the collar 142 allows the annular protrusion 141 and the collar 142 to function as positioning members in the axial direction. The radial projection length of the annular projection 141 formed on the side near the helical projection 139 is shorter than the radial projection length of the collar 142 located on the side near the container body 138-1. This increases the flexibility of mounting / dismounting.

A plurality of claws 305 are formed in the boss 302a of the gear 302 in a circular configuration with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the annular protrusion 141. [ Each of the claws 305 is formed by bending the end face of the boss 302a and partially forming the notch in the end face along the circumferential direction. The claw 305 is elastically deformable in the radial direction. In this embodiment, this curved portion of the claw 305 is positioned on the side opposite the outer cap 301, or alternatively, positioned on the side near the bayonet base 138a .

27 and 28, at least one protrusion 143 functioning as a rotation stopper is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the bayonet base portion 138a positioned between the annular protrusion 141 and the collar 142. As shown in Fig. The protrusion 143 extends from the annular protrusion 141 and has an outer surface 143a that is a slope that decreases in height from the annular protrusion 141 to the collar 142. [ In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 29, the number of the projecting portions 143 is two or more; The plurality of protrusions 143 are disposed circumferentially between the annular protrusion 141 and the collar 142 such that the protrusions 143 are spaced from each other. The spacing between the projections 143 is greater than the width of the claws 305 in the circumferential direction. The height of the protrusion 143 is set to a value that prevents the claw 305 from rising above the protrusion 143 when the rotational force is transmitted to the gear 302 to alternately rotate the toner container 138. [

In order to attach the cap 300 to the toner container 138 having the bayonet base portion 138a constructed as described above, the inner cap 168 is inserted into the discharge port 138b and the bayonet base portion 138a The outer cap 301 is screwed onto the toner container 138 from the side facing the end face of the toner container 138. [ When the claw 305 rises above the annular protrusion 141 during the course of the attaching operation, the claw 305 is resiliently deformed in the inward folding direction. The gear 302 is positioned between the annular protrusion 141 and the collar 142 when the claw 305 is raised above the annular protrusion 141. [ At the same time, if the claw 305 rises above the annular protrusion 141, the elastic deformation reverses causing the claw 305 to rise toward the center of the bayonet base 138a to engage with the annular protrusion 141. [ This engagement causes the annular protrusion 141 and the collar 142 to constrain the movement of the gear 302 in the axial direction or in the unlocking direction M as shown in Fig. Here, the gear 302 is attached to the bayonet base 138a in the slip-proof state; At the same time, the discharge port 138b is sealed by the outer cap 301. The state in which the cap 300 is attached to the toner container 138 is referred to as a pre-shipment state in which the discharge port 138b is in the sealed state.

To load the toner container 138 in a sealed state onto the apparatus, the operator rotates the outer cap 301 in the removal direction. This causes the gear 302 to move in the same direction as the outer cap 301 by a distance corresponding to the circumferential play of the claw 305 and the protrusion 143. However, when the claw 305 abuts the projection 143 in a circumferential direction and engages with the projection 143, movement in the rotational direction of the gear 302 is restrained. On the other hand, the releasing unit 303 has a relatively low strength in the circumferential direction due to the slit formed in the circumferential direction within it. Therefore, when the outer cap 301 is rotated, the outer cap 301 and the gear 302 are separated from the release unit 303 as shown in Fig. Here, when the outer cap 301 is removed from the container body 138-1 to open the discharge port 138b, the gear 302 is separated from the outer cap 301 so as to remain on the container body 138-1 side do. More specifically, when a rotational force (cap opening force) is exerted on the outer cap 301 by a user such as a user or a mechanic, a force for rotating the gear 302 integrated with the outer cap 301 is transmitted to the gear 302 . However, the gear 302 is in a substantially fixed state in which the movement of the gear 302 in the rotational direction is restrained by the claw 305 and the protrusion 143. Thus, the gear 302 is separated from the outer cap 301 when the rotational force (cap opening force) exceeds the limit of the release unit 303. [

In order to remove the gear 302 from the used toner container 138, the gear 302 is pulled toward the annular projection 141 or in the release direction M as shown in Fig. This causes the distal end 305a of the claw 305 to be trapped by the inner surface of the annular protrusion 141. [ When the load over the predetermined load is applied to the gear 302 in the release direction M, the curved claw 305 is bent again, while turning around the contact portion between the tip end 305a and the annular projection 141 , Causing the claws 305 to rise and move up in the release direction M over the annular protrusion 141. Here, the gear 302 is removed from the toner container 138.

As described above, the cap 300 having the outer cap 301 and the gear 302 detachably assembled to the one piece is attached to the toner container 138. When the rotational force is applied on the outer cap 301 in the attached state, the release unit 303 is broken so that the outer cap 301 and the gear 302 are rotated with respect to each other, so that the discharge port 138b is opened do. Here, the assembling operation of the cap 300 is facilitated, and the operability is improved.

It is also possible to check whether the toner container 138 is a toner container that is not yet opened or already opened by checking the state of the release unit 303 or more specifically whether the outer cap 301 is rotating The judgment is made by the operator. This makes the determination as to whether the toner container 138 is new or to be manufactured at a relatively low cost, with ease and compatible operability. This allows the determination as to whether or not the toner container 138 is an authorized product depending on whether or not the outer cap 301 rotates.

After the removal of the gear 302, a new cap 300 can be attached to the toner container 138. [ Here, each of the toner container 138 and the gear 302 may be made of a suitable material for their functional properties. This eliminates manufacturing constraints, thus enhancing manufacturing durability and achieving cost reduction. In addition, the gear 302 can be removed from the used toner container 138. This increases the cleaning efficiency of the toner container 138 and increases the reuse ratio.

Figs. 33A to 34B show a modification to the cap and bayonet base of the toner container 138. Fig. The cap 300A shown in Figs. 33A and 33B is basically similar to the cap 300; Inside the cap 300A, the outer cap 301 and the gear 302 are detachably assembled to the release unit 303 and the one piece. However, the cap 300A is formed on the gear 302 at two positions where the claws 305A extending axially from the gear 302 are disposed diagonally, and is formed on the bayonet base portion 138a And is different from the cap 300 in that the shape of the projection 141A functioning as the slip prevention member is different from that of the equivalent.

The helical protrusion 139 is not formed in the bayonet base portion 138a. A collar 142, a step 145 formed on the circumferential surface between the collar 142 and the bayonet base 138a, and a protrusion 146 are formed on the bayonet base 138a. Protrusion 146 should be coupled separately from claw 305A. The stepped portion 145 is a guide surface for guiding the claw 305A when the cap 300A is rotated.

Each of the protrusions 146 extends in the longitudinal direction of the toner container 138 from the bayonet base portion 138a and extends in a circumferential direction extending outwardly from the step portion 146 to stop the rotation of the claw 305A in the rotational direction of the gear A directional stopper 146A and a release restricting portion 146B for restricting movement of the claw 305A in the release direction M and an inclined surface 146C formed on the release restricting portion 146B. The inclined surface 146C is an inclined surface whose height increases from the end surface of the bayonet base portion 138a to the collar 142. [ The inclined surface 146C functions as a guide surface for guiding the claw 305A to the release restricting portion 146B so that the claw 305A can easily climb over the release restricting portion 146B during attachment of the cap 300A.

When the cap 300A constructed as described above is attached to and pressed into the bayonet base portion 138a as shown in Figs. 34A and 34B, the claw 305A rises above the release restricting portion 146B. This causes the distal end of the claw 305A to engage with the release restricting portion 146B to restrain the motion of the claw 305A in the release direction M of the claw 305A. The circumferential stopper 146A restrains the motion of the claw 305A in the circumferential direction. As a result, the discharge port 138b is sealed by the outer cap 301. The state in which the cap 300A is attached to the toner container 138 refers to a pre-shipment state in which the discharge port 138b is in a sealed state.

In order to load the toner container 138 in a sealed state onto the apparatus, the operator rotates the outer cap 301 in the removing direction, whereby a rotational force (cap opening force) is applied on the outer cap 301. [ At this time, a force for rotating the gear 302 together with the outer cap 301 is applied to the gear 302, but the movement of the gear 302 in the rotational direction is restricted by the circumferential stopper 146A. Thus, the gear 302 is disengaged from the disengagement unit 303. Here, when the outer cap 301 is removed from the container body 138-1 to open the discharge port 138b, the gear 302 is separated from the outer cap 301 so as to remain on the container body 138-1 side do. More specifically, when the rotational force (cap opening force) applied by the operator is exerted on the outer cap 301, the gear 302 integral with the outer cap 301 is separated from the outer cap 301.

In order to remove the gear 302 from the used toner container 138, the gear 302 is rotated in the opposite direction of the driving direction as shown in Fig. This releases the coupling between the circumferential stopper 146A and the claw 305A and the coupling between the release restricting portion 146B and the claw 305A so that the claw 305A can be released (M).

As described above, the cap 300A having the outer cap 301 and the gear 302 detachably assembled to the one piece is attached to the toner container 138. [ When the rotational force is applied on the outer cap 301 in the attached state, the release unit 303 is broken so that the outer cap 301 and the gear 302 are rotated with respect to each other, so that the discharge port 138b is opened do. Here, the assembling operation of the cap 300A is facilitated, and the operability is improved.

After the removal of the gear 302, a new cap 300A can be attached to the toner container 138. [ Here, each of the toner container 138 and the gear 302 may be made of a suitable material for their functional properties. This eliminates manufacturing constraints, thus enhancing manufacturing durability and achieving cost reduction. In addition, the gear 302 can be removed from the used toner container 138. This increases the cleaning efficiency of the toner container 138 and increases the reuse ratio.

In this variation, the protrusion 146 is formed on a circumferential portion of the bayonet base 138a to conform to the two claws 305A. However, in a situation in which a load is applied on the gear 302 in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the gear 302 as many factors such as backlash and increase in the driving force transmitted to the gear 302, Can be slipped from the protruding portion 146.

35, the claw 305 may be additionally formed on the boss 302a of the gear 302, and the annular protrusion 141 may be formed by a plurality of pairs of claws 305, 305A, And a plurality of pairs of projections 141 and 146 may be additionally formed around the circumference of the bayonet base portion 138a to prevent the gear 302 from slipping.

Fig. 36 shows a configuration in which an opening 301b is formed in the bottom portion 301a of the outer cap 301 of the cap 300. Fig. The inner cap 168 is pushed toward the inside of the container at its central portion. Further, the inner cap 168 has an opening 168b at the center thereof. A filter 168c that is permeable but does not allow the toner to pass therethrough is inserted into the opening 168b to prevent the inner cap 168 from slipping even when a change in air pressure is developed between the inside and the outside of the container. The permeability of the filter 168c is not deteriorated because the opening 301b is formed in the inner cap 301. [ The opening 301b is preferably sized to allow the collet chuck 70 (see FIG. 3) to grasp and release the inner cap 168 to be insertable into the opening 301b. This causes the toner container 138 to be loaded on the apparatus without removing the outer cap 301; The outer cap 301 can be separated from the gear 302 even when the rotational driving force is transmitted from the driving source to the gear 302. By operating the collet chuck 70 to pull the inner cap 168 out of the discharge port 168b, the discharge port 138b can be opened easily. Therefore, the toner container 138 which is not prone to toner out during transportation can be provided.

In the above-described modification, the gear (spur gear) 302 is used as a drive transmission member, but the drive transmission member is not limited thereto. As a modified example of the drive transmission member, there are a plurality of protruding portions 308A and 308B projecting axially from the disc portion 307, for example, as shown in Figs. 37A and 37B. The disc portion 307 is detachably integrated with the outer cap 301 and the releasing unit 303 is between the disc portion 307 and the outer cap 301. By transmitting the rotational force to the projections 308A and 308B, the projections 308A and 308B can be used as a drive transmission member. The protrusions 308 may be the same shape or different shapes. If a gear is used as the drive transmission member, the gear is not limited to the spur gear. 38A and 38B, an outer cap 301 (not shown) protruding in the axial direction from the disc portion 307 and interposed between the disc portion 307 and the outer cap 301 together with the release unit 303, And the gear 309 arranged in a circular configuration can be used as a drive transmission member by transmitting a rotational force to the gear 309. [

Although the surface of the outer cap 301 may be a flat surface, the outer cap 301 preferably has an uneven portion such as a knurled portion. This is because when the operator loads the cap 300, 300A onto the toner container 138, the uneven portion can be prevented by the screwing of the cap 300, 300A into the toner container 138 without experiencing the operator & To perform the removal.

A cap according to another embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 39 to 42B. The cap 400 shown in Fig. 39 has a first attachment member and a second attachment member that are detachably assembled by a single piece. When a rotational force (rotational driving force) is applied from the drive gear 374 shown in Fig. 25 on the first or second attachment member, the first and second attachment members are separated from each other. In this embodiment, the first attachment member is a fixing member 401 that has to engage with a cover member 330 (shown in Figs. 42A and 42B) to be attached to the container body 138-1. The second attachment member is a gear 402 that functions as a drive transmission member detachably integrated with the fixed member 401. [ When receiving the rotational force (rotational driving force), the gear 402 is separated from the fixing member 401 so as to remain on the container body 138-1 side. Basically, the cap 400 is configured such that the fixing member 401 and the gear 402 are detachably assembled to the release unit 403 and the dress. The hole 401a communicating with the discharge port 168b is formed at the center of the fixing member 401 and the gear 402. The collet chuck 70 can be inserted into the hole 401a when the collet chuck 70 is actuated while being mounted on the apparatus. The holding portion 401b holding the flange portion 168a of the inner cap 168 is formed around the hole 401a while the cap 400 is attached to the toner container 138. [

The cap 400 may be made of a material different from the material of the toner container 138. [ Therefore, a material suitable for delivering power can be used. The toner container 138 is typically made of PET or PF that is not suitable for power delivery. In particular, if the drive transmission member is made of PET or PF, the toner container 138 can be adversely limited in the number of times the toner container 138 can be used. As a result, the gear 402 functioning as the drive transmission member is generally manufactured by POM or the like. If it is assumed that the received torque is high, the gear 402 may be made of metal. The same applies to the gear 302 as well. The gear 402 is the same as the gear 302. 40, a plurality of claws 405 are formed on the bosses 402a.

In order to attach the cap 400 configured as described above to the toner container 138 having the bayonet base 138a, the cap 400 is inserted into the discharge port 138b with the inner cap 168 inserted into the discharge port 138b And is pushed onto the bayonet base portion 138a from the side facing the end face of the bayonet base portion 138a. When the claw 405 rises above the annular protrusion 141 during the course of the attachment operation, the claw 405 is resiliently deformed in the inward folding direction. The gear 402 is positioned between the annular protrusion 141 and the collar 142 when the claw 405 is above the annular protrusion 141. [ At the same time, when the claw 405 rises above the annular protrusion 141, the elastic deformation reverses, causing the claw 405 to rise toward the center of the bayonet base 138a and engage with the annular protrusion 141. [ Accordingly, movement of the gear 402 in the axial direction or in the release direction M in other ways is constrained by the annular protrusion 141 and the collar 142. Here, the gear 402 in the slip-proof state is attached to the bayonet base portion 138a as shown in Fig. The state in which the cap 400 is attached to the toner container 138 is referred to as a pre-load state in which the discharge port 138b is in the sealed state.

To load the toner container 138 in a sealed state on the apparatus, the operator inserts the cap 400 and the cover member 330 attached to the toner container 138, as shown in Fig. When the shape of the fixing member 401 and the inner shape of the cover member 330 are fitted, the toner container 138 and the cover member 330 are arranged in a one-piece state. Thus, the cap 400 can be attached to the toner container 138, the assembly work of the cap 400 is facilitated, and the operability is also improved. At this time, the gear 402 and the fixing member 401 are assembled with the release unit 403 as a dress. Therefore, a force for rotating the toner container 138 and the cover member 330 together is applied to the toner container 138 and the cover member 330. [ Here, by confirming that the toner container 138 and the cover member 330 are not rotated, the operator can determine that the toner container 138 is in the sealed state.

After the toner container 138 and the cover member 330 are loaded on the device as one piece, the drive gear 374 and the gear 402 are caused to mesh with each other as shown in Fig. 42B. When a rotational driving force (cap opening force) is transmitted from the driving gear 374 to the gear 402, a force for rotating the entire cap 400 is applied to the cap 400. However, only the gear 402 side is rotatable because the fixing member 401 is fixed to the inside of the cover member 401 to prevent the rotation in the rotational direction. Therefore, the gear 402 and the fixing member 401 are separated from each other in the release unit 403. [ More specifically, when a rotational driving force is transmitted to the gear 402 in a state in which the cap 400 having the fixing member 401 and the gear 402 detachably assembled to the one piece is attached to the toner container 138 , The releasing unit 403 is broken and the fixing member 401 and the gear 402 are separated from each other. This is achieved by checking the state of the fixing member 401 whether the toner container 138 is a toner container that has not yet been opened or a toner container that has already been opened or by checking the state of the fixing member 401 and the gear 402 in one piece It is judged whether or not the worker rotates.

To remove the gear 402 from the used toner container 138, the gear 402 is pulled toward the annular protrusion 141, or in other words, in the release direction shown in Fig. This causes the tip of the claw 405 to be trapped by the inner surface of the annular protrusion 141. When a load equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied on the gear 402 in the release direction M, the bent claw 405 is bent again while pivoting around the contact portion between the tip portion and the annular protrusion 141, 405 rise up to the annular protrusion 141 in the release direction M. Here, the gear 402 is removed from the toner container 138. This separation between the fixing member 401 and the gear 402 makes the determination of whether the toner container 138 is a new or a to-be-manufactured product at a relatively low cost, with ease and compatible operability.

After removal of the gear 402, a new cap 400 may be attached to the toner container 138. [ Here, each of the toner container 138 and the gear 402 may be made of a material suitable for its functional characteristics. This eliminates manufacturing constraints, thus enhancing manufacturing durability and achieving cost reduction. Further, the gear 402 can be removed from the toner container 138 used. This increases the cleaning efficiency of the toner container 138 and increases the reuse ratio.

On the other hand, each of the gear 402 and the gear 302 is a portion through which the rotational force from the drive gear 374 is transmitted to the toner container 138. Thus, each of the gear 402 and the gear 302 may be made of a material having a high coefficient of friction, or may include a magnet or the like. As a configuration of the drive transmission member other than the gear 402, the plurality of projections 308A, 308B and the gear 309 described above with reference to Figs. 37 to 38B are used as a drive transmission member by transmitting a rotational force thereto . As a variation, a pin, a gear, or the like projecting axially from the disc portion 307 may be formed for use as a drive transmission member.

In this embodiment, the fixing member 401 has a hexagonal outer shape so as not to rotate when the fixing member 401 is disposed in the cover member 330; The recess having a shape conforming to the fixing member 401 to trap the fixing member 401 is formed in a part of the inner shape of the cover member 330 so that the fixing member 401 functions as a rotation stopper. However, the shape of the fixing member 401 and the recess are not limited thereto. Figs. 44A to 44E show a modification of the fixing member 401. Fig. 44A shows a modified example in which the outer shape of the fixing member 401 is elliptical. 44B shows a modification in which the cylindrical outer circumferential surface of the fixing member 401 has an uneven portion 408 such as a knurling portion so as to increase the coefficient of friction. 44C shows a modification in which a plurality of arcuate recesses 409 are formed on the cylindrical outer circumferential surface. Of course, an arc-shaped rib inserted in the recess 409 is preferably formed on the cover member 330 to fix the fixing member 401 against rotation.

The inner shape of the fixing member 401 and the cover member 330 may be changed according to a model of the apparatus for mounting the toner color or the toner container 138, for example. This prevents the toner container 138 from mounting a wrong toner color or mounting the toner container 138 to the wrong device. Alternatively, the internal shape of the fastening member 401 and the cover member 330 may be used as a unit that provides the function of establishing non-interchangeability in terms of color or model.

In the modification shown in Figs. 44A to 44C, the shape of the fixing member 401 is changed. As a variant, the function of establishing non-interchangeability in terms of color or model may be performed by changing the size of the fixing member 401 based on the color per toner or the model per device. 44D shows a modified example in which grooves 410 extending in the circumferential direction are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the fixing member 401. [ 44E shows a modified example of forming the projection 411 projecting from the outer peripheral surface of the fixing member 401. Fig. Of course, it is preferable that a recess corresponding to the groove 410 or a recess corresponding to the protrusion 411 is formed on the cover member 330.

In the cab, in general, the thickness of the disk portion of the gear 302 or the gear 402 can be partially reduced as shown in Fig. 45 for weight reduction. The portion where the thickness is reduced is not limited to the position shown in Fig. It is preferable that the portion is set as a portion allowing smooth release from the molding die.

The claws 305,305A or 405 are formed on the gears 302,402 so that the claws protrude from the protrusions 143 or protrusions 146 formed on the bayonet base portion 138a of the toner container 138 , Thereby causing the gears 302 and 402 to rotate together with the toner container 138. [ 46, an arcuate groove 412 extending in the circumferential direction is formed in the circumferential portion of the bayonet base portion 138a so that the claws 305, 305A, 405, And is inserted into the groove 412, thereby causing the toner container 138 to rotate together with the gears 302 and 402.

As the inner cap 168 discussed in the embodiment, a plurality of vanes 168A longer than the bayonet base portion 138a of the toner container 138 can be formed as shown in Fig.

The embodiments described above with reference to Figs. 1 to 24 are summarized in the form of claims as follows.

"Claim 1 &

In the powder container,

A container body for containing the powder;

A discharge port provided on one end of the container body for discharging powder in the container body to the outside of the container body;

A retainer holding an information recording apparatus rotatable with respect to the container main body and capable of performing communication using either a contact type or a contactless type; And

And a positioning member which is engaged with a side on which the image forming apparatus main body performs positioning when it is carried on the image forming apparatus main body.

"Claim 2 &

In the powder container,

A container body for containing the powder;

A discharge port provided on one end of the container body for discharging powder in the container body to the outside of the container body;

A retainer holding an information recording apparatus rotatable with respect to the container main body and capable of performing communication using either a contact type or a contactless type; And

And a positioning member for performing positioning using a magnet member provided on a side to which the image forming apparatus main body belongs when the image forming apparatus main body is carried on the image forming apparatus main body.

"Claim 3"

The method according to claim 1 or 2,

Wherein the positioning member further performs the function of establishing non-interchangeability with respect to either the color or the model.

"Claim 4"

The method of claim 3,

Wherein the function of establishing the non-interchangeability is performed based on a change in shape of the positioning member.

"Claim 5"

The method of claim 3,

Wherein the function of establishing the non-interchangeability is performed based on a change in the position of the retainer.

[Claim 6]

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

When the container body is loaded on the image forming apparatus main body on a section perpendicular to the rotation axis of the container main body, when the gravity direction is lowered, the information recording apparatus displays the container on the upper side with respect to the horizontal line passing through the rotation axis, A powder container positioned on the outer periphery of the body.

[Claim 7]

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

Wherein the stability of the powder container loaded on the image forming apparatus main body is ensured by adjusting the weight of the positioning member.

"Claim 8"

7. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 6,

Wherein the positioning member is a magnet member and when the positioning member is loaded onto the image forming apparatus main body at a predetermined position using the magnetic force generated by the magnet member on the side to which the image forming apparatus belongs, Powder container.

"Claim 9"

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,

If the information recording apparatus is a contact-type information recording apparatus that performs contact communication with an information communication unit disposed on the side to which the image forming apparatus belongs, the positioning of the contact- A powder container carried on the basis of contact resistance between information communication units.

"Claim 10"

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,

And the movement path of the information recording apparatus moved by rotation of the retainer is positioned inside with respect to the movement path of the positioning member.

[Claim 11]

A toner supply apparatus for supplying toner contained in a powder container in a developing apparatus,

Wherein the toner is in powder form, and the powder container is the powder container according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

"Claim 12"

In the image forming apparatus,

An image carrier forming a latent image;

A developing unit for supplying the developer to a developing area for developing the latent image; And

And a toner supply device for supplying toner to the developing device,

Wherein the toner supply device is the toner supply device of claim 11.

While the invention has been described in terms of a specific embodiment for a complete and clear disclosure, it is to be understood that the claims are not to be taken as a limitation, but as contemplated by the person skilled in the art to carry out all such modifications and alterations.

Claims (12)

A container body for containing the powder;
A discharge port provided on one end of the container body for discharging powder in the container body to the outside of the container body;
A retainer holding an information recording apparatus rotatable with respect to the container main body and capable of performing communication using either a contact type or a contactless type; And
When carried on the image forming apparatus main body, the image forming apparatus main body includes a positioning member that engages with a side for performing positioning.
Powder container.
A container body for containing the powder;
A discharge port provided on one end of the container body for discharging powder in the container body to the outside of the container body;
A retainer holding an information recording apparatus rotatable with respect to the container main body and capable of performing communication using either a contact type or a contactless type; And
And a positioning member for carrying out positioning using a magnet member provided on the side to which the image forming apparatus main body belongs when carried on the image forming apparatus main body,
Powder container.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Characterized in that said positioning member further performs the function of establishing non-interchangeability with respect to either the color or the model.
Powder container.
The method of claim 2,
Wherein the function of establishing the non-interchangeability is performed based on a change in shape of the positioning member.
Powder container.
The method of claim 3,
Wherein the function of establishing the non-interchangeability is performed based on a change in the position of the retainer.
Powder container.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
When the container body is loaded on the image forming apparatus main body on a section perpendicular to the rotation axis of the container main body, when the gravity direction is lowered, the information recording apparatus displays the container on the upper side with respect to the horizontal line passing through the rotation axis, Is located on the outer periphery of the body.
Powder container.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Wherein the stability of the powder container loaded on the image forming apparatus main body is ensured by adjusting the weight of the positioning member.
Powder container.
The method of claim 2,
Wherein the positioning member is a magnet member and when the positioning member is loaded onto the image forming apparatus main body at a predetermined position using the magnetic force generated by the magnet member on the side to which the image forming apparatus belongs, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 >
Powder container.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
If the information recording apparatus is a contact-type information recording apparatus that performs contact communication with an information communication unit disposed on the side to which the image forming apparatus belongs, the positioning of the contact- And a contact resistance between the information communication units.
Powder container.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Wherein the movement path of the information recording apparatus which is moved by rotation of the retainer is positioned inside the movement path of the positioning member.
Powder container.
A toner supply apparatus for supplying toner contained in a powder container in a developing apparatus,
Characterized in that the toner is in powder form and the powder container is the powder container of claim 1 or 2.
Toner supply device.
An image carrier forming a latent image;
A developing unit for supplying the developer to a developing area for developing the latent image; And
And a toner supply device for supplying toner to the developing device,
Characterized in that the toner supply device is the toner supply device according to claim 11,
.

Images